For too a few years, Ferrari has watched others triumph in Method 1, like a fallen noble observing from afar the lights of a ball to which it’s not invited. A incontrovertible fact that hurts multiple would possibly assume. The 2024 Method 1 season noticed the Prancing Horse return to competition for a title. The constructors’ championship was fought till the ultimate race in Abu Dhabi, although the trophy now adorns the show case in Woking. Regardless of; there’s at all times subsequent time. Dwelling on the topic serves no goal anymore. Charles Leclerc suffered tremendously from this defeat because the Monegasque driver believed in it like by no means earlier than.
Simply recall his response on the ultimate crew radio after crossing the end line of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in third place. The results of a surprising comeback, which, as we all know, was not sufficient on account of Lando Norris’s victory. The Monegasque pounded his fists on the steering wheel all through the in-lap. His voice was choked with the despair of somebody who refused to simply accept a bitter outcome. Enduring defeat is a part of the sport. True. However when the winner is somebody you would have crushed, swallowing one more bitter tablet isn’t really easy.
In 2025, Charles Leclerc will face his seventh Method 1 season. He has achieved quite a few pole positions, 26, to be precise. The victories, nonetheless, are “solely” eight, contemplating that he has at all times pushed a automobile incapable of persistently preventing for wins all through the championship. Marrying Ferrari’s trigger was by no means easy, and he knew this properly when he signed the contract and its subsequent renewals. His want to win alongside the Maranello crew stays intact, and the aim for the upcoming season is obvious: to complete forward of everybody and grow to be world champion with the Prancing Horse.
Charles Leclerc may have Lewis Hamilton by his aspect beginning with the 2025 Method 1 season. A lot has been mentioned in regards to the hypothetical relationship between the 2. Ferrari crew principal Frederic Vasseur believes he can handle the well-known “two roosters within the henhouse,” simply as he did with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc. Nevertheless, the scenario is barely totally different. No offense to Carlos Sainz, however the Briton is in a league of his personal. We’re speaking a few seven-time Method 1 world champion who has not come to loosen up however to win, or a minimum of that’s his aim. It is going to due to this fact be fascinating to see how this relationship is managed.
Particularly if Challenge 677, anticipated to be named SF-25, seems to be a automobile able to acting at its finest and giving Ferrari’s drivers the prospect to combat for each Method 1 world titles. Charles Leclerc is pure expertise, identical to Lewis Hamilton. And that is exactly the issue that would create issues. Each wish to win and can do no matter it takes to remain forward of the opposite always. Usually, reflecting on Lewis Hamilton’s stellar profession, one truth stands out: his persistently truthful conduct, in distinction to different champions.
Sure, as a result of unsportsmanlike conduct or driving past the boundaries has by no means been a part of his repertoire. It is a trait price emphasizing. On this respect, Max Verstappen is completely totally different. Assume again to 2021 when, in his battle with Lewis Hamilton, he adopted an aggressive method as soon as he took the lead within the drivers’ standings, with maneuvers geared toward contact. Charles Leclerc, too, has skilled this method and has just lately mirrored on the topic, contemplating a hypothetical future the place he would possibly discover himself contending for a championship.
Racing by Max Verstappen’s guidelines isn’t precisely Charles Leclerc’s type. Nevertheless, he declares himself able to adapt strategically. One thing akin to what Max Verstappen did with Lando Norris when the Briton was preventing for the drivers’ championship. Charles Leclerc’s mentality is prepared for a change as a result of, whereas equity should prevail, there are occasions when aggressiveness and a success-driven method could make the distinction. The Monegasque driver is hard. He is aware of how you can combat fiercely and might’t wait to take action with anybody, offered Ferrari offers him the prospect.
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